The constant deluge of rain has sapped my inspiration to write a bit. Since leaving Porto we’ve had very limited opportunities to get outside. Other than a few short consecutive hours, it has rained to an almost unbelievable degree. Evidently they call this series of storms a storm train – not a train we’d like to ride again.

If you have been watching international news, perhaps you’ve seen footage of some terrible flooding in Portugal. Alcácer do Sal, a place we ate lunch en route to Sintra, is underwater. Many rivers have reached levels not seen for a number of decades. Powerful waves have scraped at beach cliffs along with enough rain to cause landslides. The windstorm we experienced only a small part of two weeks ago has led to over ten deaths and long term power outages. We have been fortunate to not be in the worst of the weather, and for this last storm system, we were on high ground with a big view. We suffered no more than boredom and a lack of exercise, but we are praying for those affected in the rest of the country.

We left Porto to drive north just past Viana do Castelo. For the most part, we were stuck inside our small beachside apartment. At least we had a front row seat to the powerful weather, as our front door looked right out on the churning ocean. For several days, the surging waves produced huge quantities of foam that piled up on the shore and were then blown a fair distance from the water, like snow. Cars driving past on the narrow road that separated us from the water looked like they had driven through a snowstorm!

Our kids love the little plastic Plus-Plus blocks we’ve seen all over Europe. We’ve collected quite a few colors now, and the big kids can easily spend an afternoon buildings designs they find on an app. A few new small LEGO sets have kept them busy as well on these rainy days.

We got lucky with a few hours of sunshine and explored Viana do Castelo on foot. We took the funicular uphill to see big views and a cathedral. Many, many stairs brought us back to town and sea level.

While Storm Leonardo rolled across the Iberian Peninsula, we traveled southeast to a rural property in Fagilde. In better weather the kids would have found loads to do outside, but their chances to interact with the animals and play on the property were quite limited by the heavy and persistent rain. We paid extra to use an inflatable hot tub, which was great for the nasty weather. (Just remember to turn the heater off before using the microwave, or you’ll flip the main breaker!) Booking the hot tub included two bottles of local wine from 2015 – delicious!

We traveled in the rain (fortunately, not snow) this morning to Belmonte. We’re deep in the center of Portugal now, with snowy mountains nearby. Among other things we’ve had our main credit card compromised now. Our back-up was compromised two months ago, and we don’t have the new ones with us yet. Oh, the joys of travel! With only about 1.5” of rain forecast in the next five days, we’re hoping we can get outside more!